Lists of compound words for kids

150 Examples of Compound Words for Kids – TurtleDiary.com

Compound words are formed when two or more words are joined together to create a new word that has an entirely new meaning.

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For example, “sun” and “flower” are two different words, but when fused together, they form another word, Sunflower. These words are formed by either adding a hyphen or just using the two words as a single term. The spelling of the two words is not necessarily changed when they are joined together, but the definition becomes unique.

Consider the words “make up” and “makeup”. This is a more advanced example of a compound word because the resulting combination is a homonym and can be used in more than one way.

Make up your mind fast.

My makeup was ruined by the rain!

I have a makeup exam tomorrow.

In the first sentence, make up is a verb. In the second sentence, makeup is used as a noun. In the third sentence, we see makeup as an adjective describing “exam.”

Types of Compound Words

There are three types of compound words;

Closed Compound words: These words are written as a single word, such as haircut, newspaper, grandmother, etc.
Open Compounds: Compound words that are written as separate words such as high school, living room, school bus, etc.
Hyphenated Compounds: Words that use a hyphen in between two words, such as well-known, second-rate, merry-go-round, etc.

Fun ways to teach Compound Words

Every child has a different way of learning. What works for one may not work for another so we have created these fun ways to teach your kid compound words. Choose the best activity that tailors to your kid’s learning style.

Visual learning style – Prepare flashcards, half with words and half with pictures. Have your child lay them out in grid style and flip two cards over at a time. The goal is to find a word and a picture to create a compound word. Students will have to use their memory to succeed at this game.
Kinesthetic learning style- Give students a compound word and have them draw the two “parts” of the compound word. For example, for “doghouse” a kid would draw a dog and a house.
Help the kids make compound word daisies. Have them write a word in the middle of the paper flower and ask them to write compound words that utilize the word on the petals.

Once your students know the basics of compounds, you can help them move onto more difficult words.

Practice with these 150 examples of compound words:

Airplane
Airport
Angelfish
Antfarm
Ballpark
Beachball
Bikerack
Billboard
Blackhole
Blueberry
Boardwalk
Bodyguard
Bookstore
Bow Tie
Brainstorm
Busboy
Cabdriver
Candlestick
Car wash
Cartwheel
Catfish
Caveman
Chocolate chip
Crossbow
Daydream
Deadend
Doghouse
Dragonfly
Dress shoes
Dropdown
Earlobe
Earthquake
Eyeballs
Father-in-law
Fingernail
Firecracker
Firefighter
Firefly
Firework
Fishbowl
Fisherman
Fishhook
Football
Forget
Forgive
French fries
Goodnight
Grandchild
Groundhog
Hairband
Hamburger
Handcuff
Handout
Handshake
Headband
Herself
High heels
Honeydew
Hopscotch
Horseman
Horseplay
Hotdog
Ice cream
Itself
Kickball
Kickboxing
Laptop
Lifetime
Lighthouse
Mailman
Midnight
Milkshake
Moonrocks
Moonwalk
Mother-in-law
Movie theater
Newborn
Newsletter
Newspaper
Nightlight
Nobody
Northpole
Nosebleed
Outer space
Over-the-counter
Overestimate
Paycheck
Policeman
Ponytail
Post card
Racquetball
Railroad
Rainbow
Raincoat
Raindrop
Rattlesnake
Rockband
Rocketship
Rowboat
Sailboat
Schoolbooks
Schoolwork
Shoelace
Showoff
Skateboard
Snowball
Snowflake
Softball
Solar system
Soundproof
Spaceship
Spearmint
Starfish
Starlight
Stingray
Strawberry
Subway
Sunglasses
Sunroof
Supercharge
Superman
Superstar
Tablespoon
Tailbone
Tailgate
Take down
Takeout
Taxpayer
Teacup
Teammate
Teaspoon
Tennis shoes
Throwback
Timekeeper
Timeline
Timeshare
Tugboat
Tupperware
Underestimate
Uplift
Upperclassman
Uptown
Video game
Wallflower
Waterboy
Watermelon
Wheelchair
Without
Workboots
Worksheet

150+ Examples Of Compound Words For Kids

Compound words for kids are designed by combining two simpler words to form one complex word. An example of this would be mail + box = mailbox. We often use compound words without realizing they consist of two different, simpler words.

What are compound words?

When asking, “what are compound words?” we need to look at the utility of compound words in modern language. They describe complex ideas or objects that can be represented by combining two simpler words. For example, the words seashell and seashore are compound words that have derivatives in sea, shell, and shore.

We use compound words to make sense of new phrases, objects, phenomena, and events. They are highly flexible by design and can be used to describe a large number of things.

You can teach your students to use compound words through a compound words list for kids and compound words examples to get them to learn the construct effectively.

Let’s check out different types of compound words and some examples you can teach your students to help them understand compound words better for optimal reading. You can also use these examples of compound words to make stories and quiz your students in larger texts.

What are the types of compound words for kids?

Now that we have explored a comprehensive list of compound words for kids, let us understand what are the types of compound words that students should know and understand. You can focus on the utility of compound words to help students learn them better.

1. Closed compound words

This is a classic example of compound words, wherein two words come together to form a completely new type of word. An example of this would be, moon + light = moonlight or base + ball = baseball. You can focus on how these words are used extensively across literary works across reading levels.

2. Open compound words

When a modifying adjective is added to a noun to create a new noun, that is an open compound word. An example of this would be store + room = storeroom. You can focus on how open compound words are used when writing sentences and describing objects.

3. Hyphenated compound words

Words like father-in-law or well-known are hyphenated compound words as they are formed with a hyphen combining two words. They retain some of their original contextual meaning through hyphenation, giving readers clarity about their meaning.

By understanding the different types of compound words, you can teach your students to be better readers and writers in the English language. You can also focus on innovative teaching methods to better explain compound words to students. You can leverage unique strategies to make compound words intuitive for kids of all ages.

Let’s look at 150 examples of compound words for kids

Compound words come in all variations, making them an important topic to focus on as kids progress from grade to grade. You can use these 150 examples of compound words to teach kids about the subject area within your own lesson plan.

After + Noon = Afternoon

Air + Plane = Airplane

Air + Port = Airport

Angel + Fish = Angelfish

Any + Body = Anybody

Any + One = Anyone

Arm + Chair = Armchair

Arm + Pit = Armpit

Basket + Ball = Basketball

Bath + Tub = Bathtub

Bed + Room = Bedroom

Birth + Place = Birthplace

Blue + Berry = Blueberry

Body + Guard = Bodyguard

Book + Store = Bookstore

Brain + Storm = Brainstorm

Bull + Frog = Bullfrog

Bus + Boy = Busboy

Butter + Fly = Butterfly

Cab + Driver = Cabdriver

Can + Not = Cannot

Candle + Stick = Candlestick

Cat + Fish = Catfish

Cave + Man = Caveman

Cross + Bow = Crossbow

Cross + Walk = Crosswalk

Day + Break = Daybreak

Day + Dream = Daydream

Day + Light = Daylight

Desk + Top = Desktop

Dog + House = Doghouse

Door + Bell = Doorbell

Door + Mat = Doormat

Down + Hill = Downhill

Dragon + Fly = Dragonfly

Drop + Down = Dropdown

Dust + Bin = Dustbin

Every + Thing = Everything

Extra + Curricular = Extracurricular

Eye + Ball = Eyeball

Eye + Brow = Eyebrow

Finger + Nail = Fingernail

Fire + Cracker = Firecracker

Fish + Bowl = Fishbowl

Fisher + Man = Fisherman

Foot + Ball = Football

Foot + Path = Footpath

Foot + Step = Footstep

Gold + Fish = Goldfish

Good + Night = Goodnight

Grand + Father = Grandfather

Grass + Hopper = Grasshopper

Ground + Hog = Groundhog

Hard + Ship = Hardship

Head + Band = Headband

Home + Town = Hometown

Honey + Dew = Honeydew

Hop + Scotch = Hopscotch

Horse + Play = Horseplay

Hot + Dog = Hotdog

In + Side = Inside

It + Self = Itself

Key + Board = Keyboard

Lay + Out = Layout

Lay + Over = Layover

Life + Time = Lifetime

Light + House = Lighthouse

Lip + Stick = Lipstick

Mail + Box = Mailbox

Merry + Go + Round = Merry-Go-Round

Mid + Night = Midnight

Milk + Shake = Milkshake

Mind + Set = Mindset

Moon + Light = Moonlight

Mother + In + Law = Mother-In-Law

Mother + Land = Motherland

Name + Sake = Namesake

Neck + Tie = Necktie

Needle + Point = Needlepoint

New + Born = Newborn

News + Letter = Newsletter

News + Paper = Newspaper

Ninety + Nine = Ninety-Nine

No + Body = Nobody

Nose + Bleed = Nosebleed

Note + Book = Notebook

Note + Worthy = Noteworthy

Out + Side = Outside

Over + Estimate = Overestimate

Pepper + Mint = Peppermint

Pillow + Case = Pillowcase

Pony + Tail = Ponytail

Pop + Corn = Popcorn

Race + Horse = Racehorse

Rail + Road = Railroad

Rain + Bow = Rainbow

Rain + Coat = Raincoat

Rain + Storm = Rainstorm

Rain + Drop = Raindrop

Row + Boat = Rowboat

Run + Way = Runway

Safe + Guard = Safeguard

Safe + House = Safehouse

Salt + Water = Saltwater

Scare + Crow = Scarecrow

School + House = Schoolhouse

Short + Term = Short-Term

Show + Lace = Shoelace

Skate + Board = Skateboard

Smart + Phone = Smartphone

Snow + Storm = Snowstorm

Soft + Ball = Softball

Some + Where = Somewhere

Sound + Proof = Soundproof

Space + Ship = Spaceship

Spear + Mint = Spearmint

Stair + Case = Staircase

Star + Fish = Starfish

Star + Light = Starlight

Sting + Ray = Stingray

Straw + Berry = Strawberry

Sub + Way = Subway

Sun + Burn = Sunburn

Sun + Flower = Sunflower

Sun + Glasses = Sunglasses

Sun + Ray = Sunray

Sun + Roof = Sunroof

Sun + Shine = Sunshine

Super + Man = Superman

Super + Star = Superstar

Table + Spoon = Tablespoon

Tad + Pole = Tadpole

Tail + Bone = Tailbone

Take + Out = Takeout

Tea + Cup = Teacup

Tea + Spoon = Teaspoon

Text + Book = Textbook

Throw + Back = Throwback

Thunder + Storm = Thunderstorm

Tooth + Brush = Toothbrush

Tooth + Paste = Toothpaste

Tug + Boat = Tugboat

Tupper + Ware = Tupperware

Two + Fold = Two-fold

Under + Ground = Underground

Up + Stream = Upstream

Upper + Class + Man = Upperclassman

Waste + Basket = Wastebasket

Water + Body = Waterbody

Water + Melon = Watermelon

Water + Proof = Waterproof

Wheel + Chair = Wheelchair

With + Out = Without

Work + Boats = Workboats

Work + Sheet = Worksheet

You can also take advantage of the online games available through SplashLearn to teach through gamified learning.

Check out our extensive library of amazing reading games you can play with your students!

Exploring fun ways of teaching compound words to kids

Teachers should look for two essential elements when explaining compound words to students; you should remember to explain that compound words can have new meanings when connecting two smaller words.

You should also clarify that complex words can be three words coming together to form a new word. Compound words can be multi-syllable, but not all multi-syllable words are compound words. This should help kids understand what they are without feeling confused.

Compound words for kids can be complicated to pick up through verbal instructions alone. You can focus on games, puzzles, toys, and exercises to get kids to understand the utility and versatility of compound words.

1. Identifying compound words in stories

By reading through books and short stories, your students may already be familiar with, you can ask kids to identify compound words within the text. This will help them understand why we use compound words in English and how they impact contextualization and structuring.

2. Sing-alongs

You can make poems and songs on compound words and use songs to help kids enjoy learning about compound words naturally. You can also bring props to demonstrate which words are compound words and which aren’t.

3. Chopping words

You can print out compound words on paper in a nice bold font and have your students cut in the middle of the compound word to create two words. If your students understand compound words correctly, they should be able to cut the compound word’s original root words.

4. Determining Which is Compound & Non-Compound

You can play a game with your students to help them understand compound words better. By giving them two options and asking them to figure out whether they are compound words or not, you can test their abilities organically. You can also provide references and compound word list examples.

5. Match the compound words

You can prepare a deck of single words printed onto cards and present them to your classroom. They need to match the correct pairs together to form a compound word. You can also do this activity with hyphenated words by giving them extra cards representing a dash.

6. Draw the compound word

This gives your students a kinesthetic way of learning about compound words through painting. Your students can paint out the compound word based on the prompt shared with them. E.g., they can be given sun + screen, and they must draw a tube of sunscreen.

Related Reading: How Can Teachers Help English Language Learners

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Can you use flashcards to teach compound words ?

Yes, flashcards are an effective way to teach compound words to kids. You can print them out as a teaching tool when exploring complex compound words.

Why do kids need to learn compound words?

The etymology and utility of compound words are essential to teaching kids to make them more comfortable with speaking, understanding, writing, and listening to the English language.

How to introduce compound words to young kids?

You can introduce compound words to kids through multiple strategies, such as with toys, props, storytelling, and games.

Words for Kids Word Game: Fun Words List

July 14, 2022 July 14, 2022 tgames For kids

What is a word game? For example, the 1st participant says "cow" ending in "A". So, the 2nd participant calls the word , starting with "A"; for example, "watermelon" and so on. For reflection - a few seconds, the losers are not determined here.

Compound words can be viewed here:

Words for word games for children under 5 years old

Butterfly
Orange
Pencil
Beetle
Grapes
Scissors
Lion cub
Ball
Umbrella
Duck
Cheese
Apple
Clothing
Mouse
Cheese
Flower
Glasses
Bread
Flag
Kettle
Bird
Brush
Pole
Cat
Rooster
Kefir
Spatula
Cube
Apricot
Boot

For children from 5 to 8 years old

Raccoon
Call
Spruce
Lemon
Hammer
Owl
Trumpeter
Chicken
Yacht
Bell
Stump
Cucumber
Pumpkin
Raisins
Snowman
Tiger
Sorrel
Bolt
Lesson
Glass
Pump
Chalk
Turnip
Bow
Penguin
Juggler
Hacksaw
Peanuts
Month
Cardboard

For older children

Ballet
Bell
Chisel
Badge
Peanut
Pod
Suit
Roller
Shoulder strap
Rhombus
Lamp
Switch
Marker
Cello
Bagel
Section
Hair
Strip
Slice
Receipt
South
Area
Date
Melody
Package
Post
Rope
Magnet
Rafinade
Nectar

Junior

Screwdriver
Yoga
Degree
Handle
Attraction
Skateboard
Monopoly
Repertoire
Lever
Sensor
Teak
Anime
Loader
Self-tapping screw
Camera
Lamp
Scooter
Barrenflower
Sheepskin coat
Sintepon
Glaze
Amethyst
Tarragon
Anchor
Clarinet
Catamaran
Agate
Bracelet
Mercury
Dome

Note: unpronounceable characters (b, b) at the end of a word are not considered; for example, the answer to the word "coal" will be a word with the letter L .